Crisis

SUICIDE MYTH

People who talk about suicide are just trying to get attention.

SUICIDE FACT

People who die by suicide usually talk about it first. They are in pain and oftentimes reach out for help because they do not know what to do and have lost hope. Always take time to talk about suicide seriously. Always.

SUICIDE MYTH

People who talk about wanting to die by suicide do not try to kill themselves.

SUICIDE FACT

People who talk about wanting to die by suicide oftentimes kill themselves.

SUICIDE MYTH

Suicide always occurs without any warning signs.

SUICIDE FACT

There are almost always warning signs.

SUICIDE MYTH

Once people decide to die by suicide, there is nothing you can do to stop them.

SUICIDE FACT

Suicide can be prevented. Most people who are suicidal do not want to die; they just want to stop their pain.

SUICIDE MYTH

Suicide only strikes people of a certain gender, race, financial status, age, etc.

SUICIDE FACT

Suicide can strike anyone.

SUICIDE MYTH

People who attempt suicide and survive will not attempt suicide again

SUICIDE FACT

People who attempt suicide and survive will oftentimes make additional attempts.

SUICIDE MYTH

People who attempt suicide are weak.

SUICIDE FACT

No, no, no. They are in pain and probably have a chemical imbalance in their brain. Many people who are very "strong" die by suicide.

SUICIDE MYTH

People who talk about suicide are trying to manipulate others.

SUICIDE FACT

No. People who talk about suicide are in pain and need help. And telling them that they "just want something" or "are trying to manipulate" is both insensitive and ignorant. People often talk about suicide before dying by suicide. Always take talk about suicide seriously. Always.

SUICIDE MYTH

When people become suicidal, they will always be suicidal.

SUICIDE FACT

Most people are suicidal for a limited period of time. However, suicidal feelings can recur.

SUICIDE MYTH

People who are suicidal definitely want to die.

SUICIDE FACT

The vast majority of people who are suicidal do not want to die. They are in pain, and they want to stop the pain.

SUICIDE MYTH

You should never ask people who are suicidal person if they are thinking about suicide or if they have thought about a method, because just talking about it will give them the idea.

SUICIDE FACT

Asking people if they are thinking about suicide does not give them the idea for suicide. And it is important to talk about suicide with people who are suicidal because you will learn more about their mindset and intentions, and allow them to diffuse some of the tension that is causing their suicidal feelings.

SUICIDE MYTH

When people who are suicidal feel better, they are no longer suicidal.

SUICIDE FACT

Sometimes suicidal people feel better because they have decided to die by suicide, and may feel a sense of relief that the pain will soon be over.

SUICIDE MYTH

Young people never think about suicide, they have their entire life ahead of them.

SUICIDE FACT

Suicide is the third leading cause of death for young people aged 15-24. Sometimes children under 10 die by suicide.

SUICIDE MYTH

There is little correlation between alcohol or drug abuse and suicide.

SUICIDE FACT

Oftentimes people who die by suicide are under the influence of alcohol or drugs.